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Our European delivery experience came to a close on Thursday July 5th as we took redelivery of our 335i at the Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC. It probably delayed us a few weeks but was without a doubt worth the wait. The downtown area in Greenville was very charming with many cafes and restaurants, definitely worth spending a few hours if you have the time. We had driven into Greenville from Charlotte and returned our rental car at the Greenville airport. The Greenville Marriot sent a driver in a BMW wagon to pick us up. Apparently BMW recently gave all the bellhops at the hotel a day at the PCD so he was very enthusiastic to share his experience with us.

The hotel is nice (very empty since it was July 4), dinner was OK -- but it could have been an off night due to the holiday. There is a special menu for the BMW guests and choices are fairly limited but hey the price is right. In any event, we had a great breakfast at the hotel the following morning and boarded the shuttle over to the Performance Center which leaves at 7:45 (we were warned numerous times not to be late as it will not wait). There were approx 5 groups including another Bimmerfester -quattro29 who also did ED. We found out he picked up his car a day before us in Germany and his CA was also Adrian....small world. We arrived and were immediately greeted by 2 of the professional drivers. All guests are offered a great selection of snacks and drinks (seriously like 10 different kinds of water, sobe teas, etc. etc.) available throughout the day, all complimentary. After signing the obligatory waivers and a brief session on some tactical items, we were split into 2 groups and hit the course. There were 3 segments, the first demonstrated the ABS at different speeds, the next was the slalom course, and the final was the DTC. The instructors were excellent and they fully encouraged us to push the cars as hard as we could, which we took full advantage . Each person got into a car that was equipped with a walkie talkie type radio, and the instructors gave you guidance as you went through each course. There were definitely some amusing moments including my wife not hearing the instructor tell her to "brake" when she needed to resulting in some off roading into the grass, myself being told during the slalom course my tactics were better suited for the advanced class and to calm down a bit, and another guy completely losing it on the DTC piece taking the car into the mud. We got some really great video of ourselves driving all the courses, especially the slalom. Ray, our instructor said the wife and I had good control of our car asked if I tought her to drive or did she teach me. Im sure he was strokin' our egos a bit but it still felt good Cant say enough good things about the instructors, they really add to the experience. Good times!!!!!!

After this, some people took delivery while the rest of us hit the X5 off road course. My wife was less than thrilled after seeing the first X5 tilted on its side at the top of the hill so she hopped out of the car to take the attached pictures and more video. First youre warned to follow the instructions or "bad things could happen". First you drive slowly up an obstacle that gets the X5 balancing on its front left tire and rear right tire, leaving the right front tire and left rear tire in the air. Next the instructor grabs the car by the rear door handle and rocks it back and forth (picture 9). Next you drive up a hill and get the X5 balanced on its left side as the instructor talks you through it (picture 10). That was followed by numerous other segments like driving up and down other steep hills and through a considerable amount of water. I think it actually looks worse than it feels when you drive it! If your considering an X5, the car clearly has substantial capabilities.

After this we were all handed the keys to a 6 series and able to drive across to the BMW museum, aka, "Zentrum". I had never driven a 6 much less a BMW with SMG and this was another unexpected treat. After that, back to the PCD for lunch. Lunch was an impressive buffet of sandwiches and salads, even some German pretzel sandwiches reminiscent of our trip to Munich. Other than getting our car back, the highlight was the hot lap in the M5. Our instructor tore up the track showing us how fantastic this car handles. Finally we took delivery of our car nicely detailed with tire dressing, another full tank of gas, and our German license plate tucked away in the trunk. We opted for the express delivery since we had already taken delivery in Munich and we were on our way in no time.

We have read and continue to read various views on the ED and PCD. Personally I think BMW deserves applause for the first class approach they take to these programs. The PCD staff could not have done anymore than they did and were constantly inquiring as to how we were enjoying the day etc.. Our ED delivery was also a friendly and positive experience. Granted, we probably require less attention as we have been driving the cars for years and do not feel the need to go through every feature but if we wanted to it would not have been an issue. Again a special thanks to Bimmerfest and all the members that provide advice. Not a single glitch or problem throughout our entire ED and PCD, the whole process was smooth as silk thanks to Adrian.

7. Dirty 335 after a student drove it into a ditch
8. X5 course - water
9. Ray, one of our instructors, rocking an X5 back and forth on 2 wheels using the rear door handle
10. X5 on top of hill tilted on its left side
11. 6 Series we all got to drive over to the museum
12. Museum

+1, My wife and I enjoyed our PCD just as much. This is truly one of the best things BMW has done to enhance the delivery of their cars. I hope to do another one next year, maybe a 130 or 135. Need to decide if I really want to give up the MINI as I really do enjoy driving it but my driveway is getting kinda crowded.

Thanks for the update. I also thought that BMW did a first class job with both ED and PCD. I too have Adrian to thank for making the ED and PCD experience happen. Looks like everyone has had a great PCD experience after doing ED.

Awesome Write up!!
My Next ED, I will need to set aside some vacation time to do this. We wanted to this year, but my wife had recently changed jobs and thus no more additional vacation time .
Thanks for the thorough write-up!! Sounded like lots of fun!!

Great report & pics. Congrats on finally getting your car. I know you had a long wait as the last May 4th ED re-delivery. I'm jealous of your PCD experience and plan to enroll in one of the courses in the near future.

+1, My wife and I enjoyed our PCD just as much. This is truly one of the best things BMW has done to enhance the delivery of their cars. I hope to do another one next year, maybe a 130 or 135. Need to decide if I really want to give up the MINI as I really do enjoy driving it but my driveway is getting kinda crowded.

My wife said I couldn't buy or build another car until I built a separate garage....Guess I know what I'll be doing this fall

I'm also doing the ED/PCD and this write-up has made the anticipation that much better/worse. Thanks!